Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Grove OÜ, a private limited company incorporated under Estonian law with registered office at Männimäe/1, Pudisoo küla, Kuusalu vald, Harju maakond, 74626, Estonia ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"), concerning your access to and use of the PawGroom website and platform ("Service").

By accessing or using our Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of these Terms, then you may not access the Service.

2. Definitions

• "Platform" means the PawGroom website and mobile applications
• "Users" means all persons using the Platform, including Clients and Groomers
• "Clients" means pet owners who book grooming services
• "Groomers" means professional pet grooming service providers
• "Services" means grooming services offered by Groomers through the Platform
• "Content" means all text, images, data, and other materials on the Platform

3. Platform Description

PawGroom is a digital marketplace connecting pet owners with professional grooming service providers. We facilitate bookings, payments, and communications but do not directly provide grooming services.

We are an intermediary platform only. The actual grooming services are provided by independent contractors (Groomers), and we are not responsible for their actions, omissions, or the quality of services provided.

4. User Accounts and Registration

4.1 Account Creation

• You must be at least 18 years old to create an account
• You must provide accurate, current, and complete information
• You are responsible for maintaining account security
• One person or entity may only maintain one account

4.2 Account Verification

Groomers must complete identity verification and provide proof of:

• Professional grooming qualifications or certifications
• Business registration or tax identification
• Valid government-issued identification

4.3 Account Suspension/Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts for violations of these Terms, including but not limited to fraud, misrepresentation, or harmful conduct.

5. Booking and Payment Terms

5.1 Booking Process

• Bookings are subject to Groomer availability and acceptance
• All bookings must be confirmed by the Groomer within 24 hours
• Prices are set by individual Groomers and may vary
• Additional charges may apply for extra services or complex grooming needs

5.2 Payment Processing

• Groomers pay subscription fees to Grove OÜ for platform access and usage rights
• Clients pay Groomers directly for grooming services - Grove OÜ does not process client payments
• Groomer subscription payments are processed through Stripe, our payment processor
• Grove OÜ is not liable for VAT on groomer subscriptions

5.3 Cancellation Policy

• Client Cancellations:
• Cancellation policies are determined by individual Groomers
• Clients should review Groomer cancellation terms before booking
• Cancellation charges (if any) are paid directly to the Groomer, not Grove OÜ
• Groomer Cancellations:
• Must provide at least 24 hours notice
• Repeated cancellations may result in account suspension
• Emergency cancellations are handled case-by-case

6. User Responsibilities and Conduct

6.1 General Conduct

All Users must:

• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations
• Provide accurate information and maintain updated profiles
• Treat other Users with respect and professionalism
• Not engage in fraudulent, deceptive, or harmful activities
• Not circumvent platform fees by conducting transactions outside the platform

6.2 Client Responsibilities

• Provide accurate information about pet health, behavior, and special needs
• Ensure pets are properly vaccinated and in good health
• Disclose any aggressive behavior or medical conditions
• Be present during grooming sessions or authorize a responsible adult
• Provide safe, accessible location for mobile grooming services

6.3 Groomer Responsibilities

• Maintain current professional qualifications and insurance
• Provide services in a professional, safe, and humane manner
• Follow all applicable animal welfare regulations
• Maintain clean, sanitized equipment and vehicles
• Report any incidents or injuries immediately
• Honor confirmed appointments or provide adequate notice for changes

7. Prohibited Activities

The following activities are strictly prohibited:

• Creating fake accounts or impersonating others
• Posting false, misleading, or defamatory content
• Harassment, discrimination, or abusive behavior
• Attempting to hack, disrupt, or compromise platform security
• Using the platform for illegal activities
• Sharing contact information to circumvent platform fees
• Copying, scraping, or unauthorized use of platform content
• Animal abuse, neglect, or unsafe practices

8. Intellectual Property Rights

8.1 Platform Content

The Platform and its original content, features, and functionality are owned by Grove OÜ and are protected by Estonian and international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws.

8.2 User Content

By posting content on our Platform, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable license to use, reproduce, modify, and distribute such content for platform operation and improvement.

You represent and warrant that you own or have the necessary rights to all content you post.

9. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

9.1 Platform Disclaimer

• The Platform is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind
• We do not guarantee platform availability, accuracy, or error-free operation
• We are not responsible for the actions of Users or quality of services
• We do not endorse or guarantee any Groomer or their services

9.2 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by Estonian law, Grove OÜ shall not be liable for:

• Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
• Pet injuries, illness, or death resulting from grooming services
• Property damage during grooming services
• Disputes between Clients and Groomers
• Third-party actions or content

Our total liability for any claim shall not exceed the amount of fees we received from you in the 12 months preceding the claim, or €100, whichever is less.

9.3 Insurance and Indemnification

• Users agree to indemnify PawGroom against claims arising from their use of the Platform
• We recommend Clients maintain pet insurance for additional protection

10. Data Protection and Privacy

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection, use, and disclosure of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which complies with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Estonian data protection laws.

By using our Service, you consent to the collection and use of information in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

11. Dispute Resolution

11.1 Internal Resolution

We encourage Users to first attempt to resolve disputes directly. If unsuccessful, contact our customer support team for mediation. 📧 🔒 Click to reveal email

11.2 Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by Estonian law. Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Estonia.

11.3 Arbitration (For Business Users)

Business disputes exceeding €5,000 may be subject to binding arbitration in accordance with Estonian law, unless prohibited by law.

12. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your account and access to the Service immediately, without prior notice, for conduct that we believe violates these Terms or is harmful to other Users, us, or third parties, or for any other reason.

Upon termination, your right to use the Service will cease immediately. Sections of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination will survive.

13. Emergency Procedures

• Pet Emergencies: Contact veterinary services immediately (112 for emergencies)
• Injury or Accident: Seek immediate medical attention and report to platform support
• Platform Issues: Contact support at [email protected]

14. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated with at least 30 days notice. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of new Terms.

15. Severability and Waiver

If any provision of these Terms is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force. No waiver of any provision will be deemed a further or continuing waiver.

16. Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure to perform due to unforeseen circumstances or events beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, government actions, pandemics, or technical failures.

17. Contact Information